Turtle Quest Trunk

Overview

This digitally enriched program introduces learners to the scientific process through the lens of global sea turtle conservation projects. Students will learn about the biology of the seven global sea turtle species, the steps and tenets of the scientific process, and the human-made threats being faced by sea turtles around the world. They will apply their knowledge through interactive knowledge checks and scenarios that will challenge them to put the pieces of a research project together, generate testable questions and hypotheses, analyze and synthesize data, propose solutions, and reflect on evidence-based conservation success stories.

Lessons & Standards

Lessons

Lesson 1: Science is a Quest! (45 – 60 mins)

Learners explore the essential tenets of the scientific process and how to differentiate between experimental and observational research. They complete a scientific quest map and use it to guide a scientist in their research journey.

Lesson 2: Introduction to Global Sea Turtles (45 – 60 mins)

Teams explore sea turtle adaptations by completing 1 of 7 unique species profiles. They must use evidence to hypothesize whether their assigned species could be at risk of exposure to given human-caused threats.

Lesson 3 (Part I): Research Scenario (50 – 60 mins)

Teams are invited to join a fictional global research team. They explore stations to uncover the components of the assigned research project and craft a research question and hypothesis to “unlock“ their team’s data.

Lesson 3 (Part II): Research Scenario (40 – 50 mins)

Teams pick up where they left off on lesson 3. They must analyze data sets to find patterns, craft a conclusion, and come up with possible solutions to threats that will shift data patterns in a positive direction for the well-being of sea turtle populations.

Standards

Grade 4: SC.4.N.1.1, SC.4.N.1.3, SC.4.N.1.4, SC.4.N.1.5, SC.4.N.1.7

Grade 5: SC.5.N.1.1, SC.5.N.1.2, SC.5.N.2.1, SC.5.N.2.2

Grade 6: SC.6.N.1.1, SC.6.N.1.2, SC.6.N.1.3,

Grade 7: SC.7.N.1.1, SC.7.N.1.3, SC.7.N.1.6

Grade 8: SC.8.N.1.1 , SC.8.N.2.2 , SC.8.N.1.6

Teachers in both public and private schools can request to borrow a trunk, free of cost, from one of the Traveling Trunk partner network members in your district. The process is easy!

1. Find a Partner
   Use the interactive map below to locate a Traveling Trunk partner in your area. Click a pin to view contact information, service area, and eligible audiences. Some partners can only serve educators within public, charter schools, or specific grade bands. 
2. Request a Trunk
   Contact your local partner to request a trunk loan. Be sure to include your name, school, public or private status, grades taught, number of students, and preferred loan dates.
   Note: Classroom-specific trunks are not available for outreach or pay-to-play events.
3. Confirm Logistics
   Watch for a confirmation email outlining availability and whether the trunk will be delivered or require pickup and return. Logistics vary by partner.
4. Implement the trunk
   Set time to prep, set up your classroom for each given activity, and make copies as needed. Follow the instructions inside the trunk to facilitate the lessons. 

As shared resources, all trunks must be inventoried before and after use, and any lost or damaged items should be reported immediately. Take special care of models, skull replicas, and storage conditions (store trunks in a cool place, away from sun exposure).

5. Share feedback, inventory, and return

Follow the terms agreed upon with the lending organization. Please inventory and report any lost or damaged items during your loan period.

Fill out the teacher feedback form and consider sending us footage of the trunk in action to education@inwater.org to compete for quarterly perks and prizes.

Don’t see this program in your region? Consider partnering with Inwater Research Group to get and manage your own! For more information, contact Rebecca Mott (rmott@inwater.org) and our K-12 Program Coordinator, Claire Sullivan (csullivan@inwater.org).